Assessing Academic Library Collections for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Assessing Academic Library Collections for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is essential reading for both librarians and social scientists interested in this topic. It’s the only recent volume that deals with conceptual issues (such as the relationship between collecting-building goals and broader societal concerns) as well as the nuts and bolts of actually conducting a diversity audit. -- William H. Walters, Executive Director of the Library, Manhattan University Kohn has crafted an impressive analysis of bringing diversity audits to academic libraries and the complexities of such collections. Offering several examples of how to adapt this work to meet the needs of such libraries, real life examples are used with accessible tools and methods and does not shy away from the challenges therein. -- Sarah Voels, Ph.D, Director of Vogel Library & College Librarian at Wartburg College, Waverly, IA Assessing Academic Library Collections for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is timely and essential reading. Individual chapters guide libraries in defining goals, setting realistic targets, and choosing appropriate methods for diversifying collections. The included case studies offer clear, replicable guidance for academic libraries, regardless of budget or focus. -- Tracy Bergstrom, Program Manager, Collections and Infrastructure, Ithaka S+R Assessing library collections for diversity, equity, and inclusion is a nuanced—and overwhelming—undertaking. Kohn has done the heavy lifting for us, weaving threads from across the literature into a concise and manageable framework. This comprehensive book offers academic libraries a concrete path forward, regardless of size, scope, or budget. -- Madeline Kelly, Interim Dean of Libraries, Western Washington University